Conjunctions: English Language Notes for Bank and Other Competitive Exams (Download PDF)

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Conjunctions

Definition:

Conjunction is basically a word or a group of words that connects two or more words/phrase/sentences etc.

Some examples of conjunctions used in sentences (underlined part indicates the conjunction) –

Some important points to remember –

> Conjunctions join two desirable or two undesirable adjectives BUT, it never joins one desirable and one undesirable adjective.

For e.g. –

Harish is both intelligent and dumb.  (Incorrect)

Umesh is not only dishonest but also noble.  (Incorrect)

> Some wrong pairs of conjunctions are –

Though….and; both…as well as; between…to; no other…but; If…or; 

e.g. –

Though he worked hard, but he could not complete the task. (Incorrect)

Though he worked hard, yet he could not complete the task. (Correct)

Narayan is both smart as well as hard working.   (Incorrect)

Narayan is both smart and hard working.   (Correct)

Swati asked Sakshi if she was coming to the party or not.  (Incorrect)

Swati asked Sakshi whether she was coming to the party or not.(Correct)

Swati asked Sakshi if she was coming to the party not.  (Correct)

> A lot of times a conjunction is used at wrong places. In a sentence it must always be used at the correct place.

e.g. –

He cheated not only his friends but also his parents.  (Incorrect)

Not only he cheated his friends but also his parents.  (Correct)

> A sentence NEVER begin with ‘till’.

> ‘Until/Unless’ is NEVER followed by ‘not’.

e.g. –

Until the Governor does not arrive, the programme will not start. (Incorrect)

Until the Governor arrives, the programme will not start. (Correct)

Unless the government will not make a strict law, robberies will keep on happening.(Incorrect)

Unless the government makes a strict law, robberies will keep on happening.(Correct)

> Also, WILL/SHOULD/WOULD are NOT used after ‘Until/Unless’.

e.g. –

Unless you will not come, I will not cut my birthday cake.   (Incorrect)

Unless you come, I will not cut my birthday cake.  (Correct)

> If the sentence is affirmative, then ‘doubt…if/whether’ or ‘doubtful…if/whether’ are used.

e.g. –

I doubt if/whether Payal would help Sheetal.

I am doubtful if/whether Payal would help Sheetal.

> If the sentence is negative/interrogative, then ‘doubt…that’ or ‘doubtful…that’ is used.

e.g. –

I have no doubt if/whether Nitesh will cheat him.     (Incorrect)

I have no doubt that Nitesh will cheat him.     (Correct)

Some important and common conjunctions –

And; as well as; either….or; neither…nor; scarcely….when; No sooner…than; Hardly…when; Both….and; too…to; Lest…should; such….that; even if;